Building Codes and Zoning Flashcards
6 cards from real Architecture practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Building Codes and Zoning flashcards as text
Which model building code is most widely adopted across US states and municipalities?
Answer: International Building Code (IBC)
The IBC, published by the International Code Council, has been adopted by nearly all US states as the primary model building code.
What is the primary purpose of an occupancy classification in the IBC?
Answer: To regulate construction requirements based on building use
Occupancy classifications group buildings by their intended use to apply appropriate fire, safety, and construction requirements.
Under the IBC, which occupancy group typically applies to a hospital?
Answer: I-2
I-2 occupancy covers institutional uses where occupants need physical assistance in an emergency, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
What does 'floor area ratio' (FAR) regulate in zoning law?
Answer: The ratio of total building floor area to the area of the lot
FAR is a zoning tool that limits the total floor area of a building relative to the lot area, controlling overall building mass.
A 'nonconforming use' in zoning refers to:
Answer: A use that legally existed before a zoning change made it nonconforming
Nonconforming uses are those that lawfully existed prior to a zoning ordinance change and are generally allowed to continue under grandfathering provisions.
Which document formally establishes the legal requirements a project must meet before a building permit is issued?
Answer: Code Analysis / Zoning Summary
A code analysis (also called a zoning or building code summary) documents which codes apply, occupancy, construction type, and compliance paths before permit submission.